horrific

adjective

hor·​rif·​ic hȯ-ˈri-fik 

hä-

: having the power to horrify

a horrific account of the tragedy

horrifically

hȯ-ˈri-fi-k(ə-)lē 

hä-

adverb

Synonyms of horrific

• gruesome
• shocking
• horrible
• terrible
• nightmare
• horrifying
• frightening

Examples of horrific in a Sentence

horrific images of the devastation spurred many people to give generously

Recent Examples on the Web

James Carbone Gilgo Beach case haunted Long Island For years, Gilgo Beach has been synonymous with the horrific and unsolved murders of young women. —Jeff Capellini, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026

With these words, Obama called everyone to feel, up close, the horrific loss of 20 children shot dead, and to work for a solution to gun violence. —Stephanie A, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026

Though the series offers glimpses of the palatial houses and parties of the elite, something horrific is always just within frame. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 Apr. 2026

A week has passed since the horrific death of Nancy Metayer Bowen, an admired leader in Broward County, the vice mayor of Coral Springs, and a rising young star in the Democratic Party. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & Latin; French horrifique, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Latin horrificus "inspiring awe or dread, frightening," from horrēre "to be stiffly erect, bristle, shudder, shiver" + -i- -i- + -ficus -fic — more at horror entry 1

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for horrific

• pacific
• prolific
• salvific
• specific
• terrific
• calorific
• conspecific
• hieroglyphic
• honorific
• nonspecific
• scientific
• soporific